Valpo mulling over academic program cuts
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Valparaiso University is considering discontinuing nearly 30 academic programs, according to a memo sent to faculty last week. Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Eric Johnson cited low current enrollment and enrollment trends as the key reason for the move.
The university plans to undergo a five-month review process, which Johnson said could create several potential outcomes.
“The data we collected over the past six months shows that we have too many majors, minors, and graduate programs for the number of students and faculty that we have,” Johnson said in the memo. “We must address this issue if we are to build on Valpo’s long tradition of excellence, strengthen our financial foundation, and continue to provide our students with the best possible college experience.”
The programs under considerations include 18 undergraduate programs and 10 graduate programs. They range from science and math, foreign language, music, theology, media and health programs.
Johnson noted that not all programs under review may be eliminated, and discontinuing a program does not mean the university will not continue to teach courses in that area.
“Required general education courses and other elective courses will still be taught based on student demand,” he said.
Johnson said some of the potential outcomes include programs continuing with recommended changes, merging one or more programs together, or discontinuing programs.
He noted that programs with 25 students or fewer that are not discontinued will receive an two-year improvement plan after which they will be re-evaluated.
“In addition, starting this fall, we will initiate a continuous improvement process through which all academic programs will perform an annual analysis using a common set of metrics, and will receive and collaborate on recommendations to implement program modifications moving forward,” Johnson said.
If all of the programs under consideration were cut, the move would affect about 3% of the university’s student population, the memo said.
Additionally, Johnson noted that a “limited reduction” of faculty positions is anticipated.
Final program decisions are expected to be made by the beginning of the fall 2024 semester. Johnson said any programs that are discontinued will be phased out at the end of the 2026-27 academic year to allow current students to complete their degrees.
“Rigorous academic program analysis is not only happening here at Valpo, but on many college and university campuses across the country,” the memo said. “This work and the decisions we are required to make, to remain an energized, thriving university, are not easy. But institutions like ours must be proactive in reviewing our academic portfolios and making adjustments that will meet our students’ needs to lead successful lives in an increasingly challenging world.”